Saturday 31 December 2016

Parts of the Tooth

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about about what makes up the tooth.


The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Butler Family Dental  
Chris A. Butler, DMD  
1745 West 17th Avenue  
Eugene, OR 97402  
(541) 485-6645  
MyDentistEugene.com

Friday 30 December 2016

Quick Nutrition Tips

Nutrition Tips
Following a proper and nutritious diet not only helps keep your body healthy, but your mouth as well. Nutrition plays an important role in the health and cleanliness of your teeth, gums and mouth.

Limit Soda, Coffee and Alcohol
Although these beverages contain a high level of phosphorous, which is a necessary mineral for a healthy mouth, too much phosphorous can deplete the body's level of calcium. This causes dental hygiene problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. Beverages containing additives such as corn syrup and food dye can make pearly white teeth appear dull and discolored. Therefore, it is best to choose beverages like milk, which helps strengthen teeth and build stronger enamel, giving you a healthy, beautiful smile.

Drink Tap Water When Possible
If bottled water is your main source of drinking water, you could be missing the decay-preventive benefits of fluoride.

Monitor Your Low-Carb Lifestyle
Despite their popularity, low-carb diets can cause bad breath. A balanced, dental-healthy diet can help reduce tooth decay.

Increase Your Calcium Intake
After age 20, both men and women lose more bone mass than they form so it is important to restore lost calcium with a daily supplement and by eating fruits and vegetables high in calcium, such as dark leafy greens. These foods will also help to lower the acid buildup in the saliva that can lead to breakdown of tooth enamel.

Take a Daily Dose of Vitamins C and D
These vitamins help support the absorption of healthy mouth minerals such as calcium and phosphorous, which support the bone and gum tissue, keeping it healthy. This is an easy way to maintain dental hygiene and fight gum disease.

Put Out the Cigarette
Smoking cigarettes is one of the greatest contributors to the aging mouth. According to the Center for Disease Control, more than 22 million women in the United States smoke cigarettes. In addition to staining teeth, smoking interrupts calcium absorption in the body and can also cause potentially life-threatening diseases such as oral cancer. So stop smoking and enjoy the health benefits as well as a healthy, beautiful smile.

The above article is from: OralB.com

Butler Family Dental  
Chris A. Butler, DMD  
1745 West 17th Avenue  
Eugene, OR 97402  
(541) 485-6645  
MyDentistEugene.com

Wednesday 28 December 2016

Dental Grills: The Bad Things

Bad Effects Of Dental Grills
Dental grills, also known as “grillz,” have become popular among some teens and adults due to their popularity among celebrities, especially rap musicians. Grills are decorative covers that snap over one or more teeth. They are usually made of gold, silver or other precious metals. But less expensive grills are often made from base metals that can cause irritation or an allergic reaction.

There are no long-term studies of dental grills, so there are no data about long-term safety or about problems resulting from long-term wear.

Grills can promote plaque buildup and tooth decay because food particles and bacteria may build up between the teeth and the grill. A grill may also cause abrasion of the teeth that border it. Excessive wearing of grills may discolor teeth, too, so grill fans may need to whiten teeth when they decide to stop wearing the grill.

Anyone who wears a dental grill should be especially attentive to dental hygiene, and follow a consistent routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing. Also, be sure to remove the grill before eating and rinse it often to remove bacteria and food particles. Talk to your dentist before getting a dental grill and be sure to find out how best to reduce the risk of bacterial buildup and other complications.

The above article is from: OralB.com

Butler Family Dental  
Chris A. Butler, DMD  
1745 West 17th Avenue  
Eugene, OR 97402  
(541) 485-6645  
MyDentistEugene.com

Monday 26 December 2016

Saliva Shortage? Pay Extra Attention to Plaque Removal

Saliva has an important job to do in your mouth. For starters, it helps to remove food particles. But it also helps prevent tooth decay and infection by washing away plaque and keeping disease-causing bacteria from building up on your teeth and gums. But saliva can’t do all that work by itself. So it’s important to remove plaque yourself by practicing good oral hygiene, which means proper flossing each day, and twice-daily tooth brushing.

Most of us don’t think about the moisture in our mouths until our mouths become dry. A variety of conditions can cause dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, including the following:

  • Cancer treatments. If you have any type of cancer of the head or neck and you receive radiation therapy, dry mouth is a common side effect because the radiation damages the salivary glands in addition to destroying the cancer. Some medications used to treat cancer in any part of the body can also cause dry mouth.
  • Prescription medications. Hundreds of common medications, including many antidepressants and medications for high blood pressure, can contribute to a dry mouth. If you take medications that seem to make your mouth feel dry, be especially vigilant about tooth brushing and proper flossing.
  • Nerve damage. Some types of injuries to the head or neck can damage the specific nerves that tell the salivary glands to produce saliva.
  • Chronic illness. Diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and Parkinson’s disease are among the diseases that can contribute to a chronic dry mouth.
  • Drug use. Methamphetamines have been associated with dry mouth.

To read the entire article please visit: OralB.com

Butler Family Dental  
Chris A. Butler, DMD  
1745 West 17th Avenue  
Eugene, OR 97402  
(541) 485-6645  
MyDentistEugene.com

Wednesday 21 December 2016

Scaling And Root Planing: Professional Plaque Removal

Perhaps you’ve been neglecting a good oral health routine. Or, you’ve done your best, but you’ve developed plaque and tartar buildup. A regular routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing is an important part of regular plaque removal for everyone. But if you have risk factors that have caused a buildup of plaque on your teeth and gums to harden into tartar, your dentist or dental hygienist may suggest scaling or root planing your teeth to remove the buildup. If left untreated, severe tartar buildup along and under the gum line can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth, which may increase the risk of gum disease.

Scaling and root planing are common nonsurgical techniques that may prevent the need for more serious procedures, such as periodontal surgery or a root canal.

Here’s what to expect if your dentist or dental hygienist recommends these techniques:

  • You won’t feel it. You’ll receive a local anesthetic to numb the area.
  • Scaling: Your dentist or dental hygienist removes plaque and tartar from the areas both above and below the gum line.
  • Root Planing: Your dentist or dental hygienist uses special tools to smooth rough spots on the tooth roots. This process not only removes bacteria and helps reduce plaque buildup, but it provides a smooth surface for gums to reattach to the teeth.

After a scaling and root planing procedure, be sure to follow your dentist’s instructions and maintain an oral care routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing. If your gums are sensitive after the procedure, try a spongy floss, such as Oral-BÆ Ultra FlossÆ, to help prevent painful flossing.

The above article is from: OralB.com

Butler Family Dental  
Chris A. Butler, DMD  
1745 West 17th Avenue  
Eugene, OR 97402  
(541) 485-6645  
MyDentistEugene.com

Monday 19 December 2016

6 Tips for Cavity-Free Holidays - continued

#5: Watch out for starchy foods 
These are sneaky because they often get trapped in your teeth. If you choose to indulge in chips and cakes, take extra care when you floss that day to remove all the food particles that can lead to plaque build-up. 

#6: You can still have fun 
So, what can you eat? Lots of stuff! Make lean protein choices, such as lean beef, skinless poultry and fish and vary your diet. Eat whole grains and choose low-fat or fat-free dairy foods. The holidays are a great time of year to start thinking about healthier habits. If you do snack, make it a nutritious choice-such as cheese, yogurt, fruits, and vegetables-for your overall health and the health of your teeth.

To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org.

Butler Family Dental  
Chris A. Butler, DMD  
1745 West 17th Avenue  
Eugene, OR 97402  
(541) 485-6645  
MyDentistEugene.com

Saturday 17 December 2016

Great Ways to Improve Your Smile # 6

Implants
Dental implants are a popular and effective way to replace missing teeth. Surgically placed in the upper or lower jaw, they function as a sturdy anchor for replacement teeth. Made of titanium and other materials, implants are designed to hold restorations like crowns or bridges blend in with your other teeth, and are a long-term option for restoring your smile. 

The above article is from: MouthHealthy.org

Butler Family Dental  
Chris A. Butler, DMD  
1745 West 17th Avenue  
Eugene, OR 97402  
(541) 485-6645  
MyDentistEugene.com

Thursday 15 December 2016

Dental Visits are Important

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about the importance in visiting the dentist.


The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Butler Family Dental  
Chris A. Butler, DMD  
1745 West 17th Avenue  
Eugene, OR 97402  
(541) 485-6645  
MyDentistEugene.com

Monday 12 December 2016

6 Tips for Cavity-Free Holidays - continued

#3: Limit your alcohol intake 
’Tis the season for egg nog, Brandy Alexanders and glog! If you choose to imbibe, try to drink water alongside your drinks. And remember: Too much alcohol can dry out your mouth. 

#4: Take it easy on the hard candies 
Some candies are more problematic than others. Hard candies can put your teeth at risk because in addition to being full of sugar, they’ve also been known to cause broken or chipped teeth. (Be careful not to break or chip your teeth when eating nuts as well!) 

To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org.

Butler Family Dental  
Chris A. Butler, DMD  
1745 West 17th Avenue  
Eugene, OR 97402  
(541) 485-6645  
MyDentistEugene.com

Sunday 11 December 2016

Flossing - Bad Breath Killer

Flossing As Prevention For Bad Breath
Need another reason to floss your teeth at least once a day? Flossing daily helps improve bad breath by effectively removing the food particles and bacteria that contribute to it. That makes flossing one of the easiest ways to prevent and banish bad breath.

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is more common than many people realize. You may joke about bad breath, whether it’s your own or someone else’s, but it’s an important oral health issue. Bad breath can be more than an embarrassing social problem-it can be a sign of disease or illness.

Saliva is Your Friend
Less saliva means that your mouth is more susceptible to plaque buildup, which can create an unpleasant smell on your breath. Pay extra attention to any of the following circumstances that can reduce the saliva in your mouth and promote bad breath:

  • Drinking alcohol. Alcohol-containing beverages may promote a dry mouth and cause bad breath. So don’t forget to floss after an evening out on the town, no matter how much you’re tempted to hop into bed and forget about it.
  • Early morning. Saliva stops flowing while you sleep, so you may be prone to bad breath in the morning. If so, mornings may be the best time for your daily dental flossing.
  • Being hungry or thirsty. When you’re dehydrated, there’s not as much saliva in your mouth, so you’re prone to bad breath and increased bacterial buildup. Drink enough fluids and remember to floss. Also, remember that chewing food increases the saliva in your mouth, so if you’re skipping meals or dieting, you may develop bad breath.

If you’re dieting and eating less frequently, a mint floss can not only help bad breath by removing bacteria, it may help you with your diet by providing a fresh taste in your mouth that makes you less tempted to snack. People who are following extremely low carbohydrate diets also sometimes report bad breath, but these reports are anecdotal. If you’re on a low-carb diet, or any restrictive diet, you may be promoting bad breath. If you must restrict your food intake and eat infrequently, drink plenty of water to help maintain the level of saliva in your mouth to help prevent bad breath in addition to following a good oral care routine.

To read the entire article please visit: OralB.com

Butler Family Dental  
Chris A. Butler, DMD  
1745 West 17th Avenue  
Eugene, OR 97402  
(541) 485-6645  
MyDentistEugene.com

Thursday 8 December 2016

Mouth Healthy Moments: How to Floss

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about flossing your teeth.


The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Butler Family Dental  
Chris A. Butler, DMD  
1745 West 17th Avenue  
Eugene, OR 97402  
(541) 485-6645  
MyDentistEugene.com

Monday 5 December 2016

6 Tips for Cavity-Free Holidays

#1: Timing matters 
Timing matters. While everything is fine in moderation, it helps to eat sweets and other sugary foods with meals or shortly after mealtime. Saliva production increases during meals and helps cancel out acids produced by bacteria in your mouth and helps rinse away food particles.  

#2: Be picky if it's sticky
When it comes to picking healthy snacks, many people put dried fruit at the top of the list. But many dried fruits are sticky and sticky foods tend to stay on the teeth longer than other types of food. If you find yourself eating a lot of dried fruits such as cranberries, make sure to rinse with water and brush carefully. 

To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org.

Butler Family Dental  
Chris A. Butler, DMD  
1745 West 17th Avenue  
Eugene, OR 97402  
(541) 485-6645  
MyDentistEugene.com

Saturday 3 December 2016

Great Ways to Improve Your Smile # 5

Braces
While orthodontic work that begins while a child is growing helps produce optimal results, that doesn’t mean that adults can’t have braces. Thanks to advances in orthodontic treatments, metal brackets are not your only option. Removable aligners, or invisible braces,î or clear plastic brackets can all be used to straighten crooked or crowded teeth.

The above article is from: MouthHealthy.org

Butler Family Dental  
Chris A. Butler, DMD  
1745 West 17th Avenue  
Eugene, OR 97402  
(541) 485-6645  
MyDentistEugene.com

Thursday 1 December 2016

Mouth Healthy Moments: How to Brush Your Teeth

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about brushing your teeth.


The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Butler Family Dental  
Chris A. Butler, DMD  
1745 West 17th Avenue  
Eugene, OR 97402  
(541) 485-6645  
MyDentistEugene.com